1st crop of young First Nation farmers graduates in Dawson City

A new group of farmers-in-training is getting ready for a special harvest ceremony in Dawson City, Yukon.

They're part of Tr'ondk Hwch'in First Nation's new farm school, an on-the-land program teaching agricultural skills to young people and trying to grow food security and sustainability in the region.

"Me, I've learned a lot, how to grow everything," said student Dylan Taylor.

Taylor addedthey're also learning carpentry and life skills.

Another student, Tanner Sidney, says he's proud of what he's accomplished, learning to grow food for his family and community.

"Food that I made makes me feel a lot better," he said.

Enrolment in the program exceeded expectation with 20 students attending the farm school over the summer, says Dexter MacRae, director of human resources, education and training with the Tr'ondk Hwch'in First Nation.

"The farm school was certainly not just open to First Nations students, but as it turns out 19 are First Nations, the majority from Tr'ondk Hwch'in, but we have Kaska, Na-Cho Nyak Dun and Kwanlin Dn students as well," he said.

The program includes some time in the classroom each week, but the bulk of the time is spent tending to the gardens. Some of the students spent the summer living on-site in wall tents.

There are large gardens and smaller individual plots where the students have a chance to practise their skills. MacRae says the program is a good fit for the students.

"We all like to be out on the land, but First Nation tradition and culture down through the decades, through the centuries is working and living on the land."

He says the farm school hopes to have year-round greenhouses down the road.

"The First Nation wants to do our bit to have a fresh, year-round source of food for not just the First Nation community but the Dawson community at large," he said.